by Imam Taufiqurrahman, translated from blogpost.
local fishes Tombo, family caprinidae in wisnu river, Sawahan
A significant breakthrough in wildlife conservation efforts in Sawahan Hamlet, Mendolo Village, Indonesia. On March 15, 2025, a community meeting led to new agreements for the protection of fish, birds, and primates in the region. This initiative originated from the concerns of the youth group Paguyuban Petani Muda (PPM), supported by the SwaraOwa Foundation, aiming to address the disappearance of local wildlife due to overexploitation and hunting.
The conservation efforts include long-standing practices like prohibiting fishing in certain river areas and expanding them to include the protection of bird and primate species. The community has also agreed to protect natural primate food sources by banning tree cutting and discouraging direct feeding to prevent behavioral changes in wildlife.
Dukuh Sawahan residents’ meeting attended by all residents, March 15, 2025
These measures align with the conservation of the critically endangered Javan blue-banded kingfisher, whose survival depends on maintaining forested river habitats and Javan gibbon conservation program in the landscape. Overall, this initiative demonstrates the power of community-driven conservation to protect biodiversity for future generations.
Several notable conservation practices initiated by the community in Sawahan Hamlet:
- Fish Conservation:
- Prohibition of fishing or any form of fish harvesting in specific river sections, particularly Kedung Kali Bengang in Kali Wisnu, which serves as a fish breeding ground.
- Introduction of local fish species through community efforts since 2012 to restore the fish population.
- Prohibition on harmful practices like electrocution (nyentér) and poisoning for fish capture.
- New agreements to prevent the release of non-native fish species into the ecosystem.
- Bird and Primate Protection:
- Community-wide ban on hunting or capturing birds and primates, extending the protection to all individuals, both locals and outsiders.
- A tailored approach to problematic species like long-tailed macaques and sparrows, focusing on humane deterrent methods rather than harm.
- Forest and Habitat Preservation:
- Ban on cutting or damaging natural primate food source trees to sustain their habitat.
- Avoidance of direct feeding of primates to prevent dependency or behavioral shifts.
These efforts reflect a grassroots, community-led approach to biodiversity conservation, combining traditional practices with modern ecological awareness. Implementing this agreement should be assisted, to implement co-existence between wildlife and humans, moreover they can be beneficial relationships.